SPRINGFIELD – New team, new coach, new system and new outlook on his life as a hockey defenseman.

So it goes with Patrick McNeill, a seventh-year pro who’s settling into the Springfield Falcons’ way of doing things after breaking free from a difficult situation in Hershey last season.

“I was a veteran, but I wasn’t playing much,” he said. “There was one stretch when I got scratched in 20 games in a row. That’s hard to take, but I stayed positive, and when I did get into the lineup later in the season, I played some good hockey.”

So good, in fact, the Columbus Blue Jackets were glad to grab him when he opted to leave a Washington Capitals organization that had been his since the day he was drafted in the fourth round of 2005.

“The day I signed (with Columbus) happened to be the day of a reunion of guys who had played for Hershey on their Calder Cup championship teams (in 2009 and 2010),” McNeill said.

“I had a chance to compare notes with teammates who knew the Springfield situation – guys like Andrew Joudrey, Greg Amadio and Bryan Helmer. I was excited about the idea of coming here. This team looks deep and strong on defense.

“It’s going to take time, but every day I feel like I’m going in the right direction.”

McNeill has been paired with Ilari Melart as part of a defense that has helped the Falcons to a 3-0 start.

Like McNeill, Melart is settling into the Springfield system. He played the last five seasons in his native Finland.

“I like our mobility and size back there,” Falcons coach Brad Larsen said. “We have several guys who are basically new to our program, but I feel that they’re getting it. A guy like McNeill, he’s a really smooth skater with good vision of the play and I like the way he charges up ice. First and foremost, he’s a quality person.”

Springfield’s defensive unit did take a hit Monday when American Hockey League headquarters announced that Wil Weber has been suspended one game because of a cross-checking incident against Worcester Saturday. He will sit out Springfield’s game Friday at Providence. 